Question

Background Info: In this experiment you will observe and analyze elastic and inelastic collisions in one dimension and in two dimensions. You will measure the final momentum of a system after it explodes. You will see how both kinds of collision affect the kinetic energy of a system that consists of two frictionless carts. You will determine the momentum of two carts after they collide when one cart is initially stationary. You will analyze the results qualitatively as well as quantitatively using a pair of motion sensors. In particular, you will: 1. Verify that the linear momentum of a system is conserved when only internal forces act on the parts. 2. Learn to use the linear momentum conservation law in the analysis of experimental situations. 3. Learn to apply the relationships associated with different types of collisions and their limitations when related to actual experimental settings.

Question:

In this experiment, the procedure is based on the assumption that momentum is conserved during
collisions. What external factors might cause momentum not to be conserved?

Answer 1

In this experiment, the procedure is based on the assumption that momentum is conserved during Collision.

There are many external factor that can provide a non-zero net force on the bodies that undergo collision. When there is an external force(non-zero) then the momentum is not conserved.

Those factors could be

1) Friction (usually he biggest factor but not in this case since the system here is frictionless)

2) Gravity

3) Air Resistance

4) Magnetic attraction/repulsion (When the objects are magnetic

5) Electrostatic attraction/repulsion (When the objects are charged, may be slightly due to environment)

6) when the duration of impact(time when the objects are in contact) is larger

Logical Explanation

Momentum = mv

Force = ma = mdv/dt

We can see that when there is a net force then there is an acceleration, if acceleration is present there is a change is velocity which means there will be change in momentum